Potential is an opportunity not a guarantee.

As a parent we want our children to live up to their fullest potential. We do everything in our power to guide their lives and mold their events to allow our children to grow and develop into amazing adults. If they fall short we are there to support them and get them back on track. Throughout their entire childhood, all we can do his hope and pray that they will work to their fullest potential. Nothing makes a parent more proud than seeing their child working to their fullest potential.

The one thing that can make everything fall apart is if they choose not to work to their fullest potential. It is not a guarantee that people will work to their fullest potential. If that were true, then most of the problems within the world would not exist. The truth is that most people don’t choose to use their potential to improve their life. Below are three things that can help you understand the power of your potential.

Risky Business

Potential requires a certain amount of risk. That risk may be small or great. Either way, when the moment comes to take that risk, what will you do? Will you be cautious and do the minimum or take the risk and do whatever it takes to move into your potential. Your potential comes into play when a challenge comes. When everything is normal and business as usual, there may be no need for you to take your actions to the next level. Use that time to prepare yourself for the challenge that will come.

Cost

There is a cost in order to increase our potential. I’m not talking about money. I am talking about priorities, values, and morals. When living up to potentials you have to think about what is most important to you. You will have to give up something in order to get something. What is most important to you? Is it worth giving up? Having clearly defined values and morals will allow you to easily take the risk and move into your potential. When values are clear, decisions are easy.

Don’t Stop

Potential requires perseverance in order to be fulfilled. You can’t give up. Opportunities and challenges will come throughout your life. You will not be successful with every opportunity and challenge. Giving up should not be an option. With each failure, learning takes place. That learning is a part of you moving towards your fullest potential. Whenever my son gets a new video game he gets very upset and wants to give up right away. I try my best to impress upon him that he is learning more and more each time he plays the game. After several failed attempts, he eventually comes out victorious. Don’t give up, perseverance will help you prevail and move closer to your potential.

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Hi Steve, yes we do feel proud when our children live up to their potential - but my question is ... how can we, as teachers, ensure that we are giving all learners enough rich learning opportunites that will help unlock their potential and be the best they can be in an educational climate that is increasingly focused on reaching minimal standards and basic skills particularly in the primary/ elementary sector? Not all children can be supported to develop their talents at home, so I do believe that educators and teachers have an important role to play in ensuring that all learners are given a chance to discover and develop their gifts and talents. But are we really doing it?